Padlock construction



May 1Q, 1938.

- A. SCHOOREL ET AL RADLOCK CONS TRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1935 5Sheets-Sheet 1 TATE.

Z INVENTORS 2/ Adam Schoorel Henry E Keil BY jw am 19M ATTORNEYS May 10,1938. A. SCHOOREI. ET AL 2 9 inujnocx CONSTRUCTION Fiied Nov. 1, 1935 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS (Adam SC/ZOOreZ Henry EKeiZ BY (7M,

ATTQRNEY Y May 10, 1938.

A. SCHOOREL in AL .PADLOCK CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 1,1935 Z a M lv mm PM N 5 N m d A May 10, 1938. A. SCHOOREL ET AL PADLOCKCONSTRUCT ION Filed Nov. 1, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS AdamSchoorei Henzy F Keil ATTORNEYS Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATESgusset PATENT OFFEQE PADLooK CONSTRUCTION Application November 1, 1935,Serial No. 47,762

16 Claims.

This invention relates to padlock construction. One of the subjects ofthis invention is to provide a simple, durable and inexpensive padlockconstruction. Another object is to provide a padlock construction whichwill be of inexpensive manufacture and which in particular ischaracterized'by great ease and simplicity of assembly, all withoutdetracting from dependability. and strength in practical use. Anotherobject is to provide a padlock construction in which certain partsthereof may be readily die cast. Another object is to provide afoolproof padlock construction and particularly to provide a padlockconstruction that will be Well adapted to meet the Widely varyingconditions of hard practical use. Other objects will be in part obviousor in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which we have shown two of the variouspossible embodiments of our invention,

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view through a padlockconstruction utilizing pin tumblers, the construction being shown withthe parts in locked position;

Figure 2 is a view like that of Figure 1 but it shows the parts inunlocked position;

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional view, similar to that of Figure1, but showing only the main body portion of the casing or the casingstructure itself;

Figure 4 is an end elevation, as seen from the left in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end elevation, as seen from the right in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an plan View, as seen from the top in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a closure member or companion piece tothe casing structure of Figures 3-6;

Figure 8 is vertical transverse sectional view, as seen along the line8-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view, as seen along the line9 -9 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a central vertical sectional view, like that of Figure l,but showing a padlock construction utilizing the Wafer or disk type oftumbler means, embodying our invention;

Figure 11 is a vertical transverse sectional View, as seen along theline I ll i of Figure 10 Figure 12 is a perspective view of a closure orcompanion member to the casing structure embodied in the padlock ofFigures 10 and 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional View, as seen alongthe line l3-l3of Figure 10, showing a possible or preferred form of wafer tumbler andits relation to the key plug;

Figure 14 is a central vertical sectional view like that of Figure 1showing a modified form of padlock construction;

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view along the line I5|5 of Figure14;

Figure 16 is a detached perspective View of a closure member orcompanion piece to the casing structure of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a central vertical sectional view like that of Figure 1showing another form of padlock construction;

Figure 18 is a central transverse sectional view of the casingconstruction of Figure 17, certain parts being omitted, and

Figure 19 is a detached perspective view of a closure or companion pieceto the casing structure of Figure 1'7.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring first to Figure 1, we first provide a casing structuregenerally indicated at 2B and shaped and dimensioned, all as is laterfully de scribed, to carry and have related thereto certain other parts,such as a U-shaped shackle 2!, a key plug 22, and a casing closure orcompanion member 49 coacting with these and other parts. To betterunderstand the construction and coactions of the various parts,reference might first be made to Figure 3 of the drawings where thecasing structure 20 alone is shown in central vertical cross-section.

The casing structure 20 is preferably die cast and hence preferably isof unitary or integral construction. It has a front end wall 24, andopening through it is a bore 25, the latter being preferably cylindricaland thereby providing a cylindrical bearing surface for the key plug 22(Figure l). The bore 25 extends to the left (Figure 3) but terminatesshort of the rear end wall 26, communicating with a transverselyextending chamber 21 which is rectangular and preferably square in crosssection, as is better shown in Figmunicates with a longitudinallyextending channel 29 which is preferably rectangular in shape, (seeFigure 3), being bounded (Figure 6) by the upper ends of the side walls30 and 3| and of the end walls 24 and 26, all for a purpose later to bedescribed.

The rear end wall 26 (Figure 3), which forms the left-hand boundary ofthe chamber 2?, is provided with two round holes 32 and 33 (see alsoFigure 4), positioned adjacent the respective ends of the wall 26 andthus communicating with the chamber 21. As is better shown in Figure 3,there is formed or cored out, in the metal between the lower end of thebore 25 and the bottom wall 28, a cylindrical recess 34 preferably ofthe same diameter as the diameter of the hole 33 and juxtaposed to andin alinement with the latter. Through the hole 33 and into the recess 34is to be slidably and rotatably received the long leg 2| a of theU-shaped shackle 2| (Figure 1), while the short leg 2| thereof is to beentered through the hole 32.

In the relatively thick metal or wall portion between the upper part ofthe bore 25 (Figure 3) and the horizontal channel 29, we provide asuitable number, illustratively four, of tumbler-receiving recesses 35,36, 37 and 38, these being preferably cylindrical and alined along thecentral plane (see Figures 3 and 6) of the casing structure 20. As isshown in Figure 3, they are open at both their upper and lower ends,being thus exposed to the bore 25 and also to the channel 23. Forwardlyof the row of tumbler recesses 35, 36, etc., and hence to the right, asviewed in Figures 3 and 6, there is formed or cored out a verticallyextending channel 39 preferably of rectangular cross-section (see Figure6) and of substantial length and breadth.

In Figure '7 we have shown in perspective a closure member 40 or acounterpart to the easing structure 20; and it too may be die cast ifdesired. It comprises a plate-like part 4| which is virtually to becomethe upper end wall of the casing 2|), being shaped to be tightly seatedinto the channel 29 (Figures 3 and 6) and, when so seated, to merge withthe remaining upper or top portions of the casing structure 20 tosimulate in appearance the exterior of the bottom wall 28 (compareFigures 5, 8 and 9).

Toward its right-hand end (Figure 7) the member 46 has dependingtherefrom a part 42 which is rectangular in cross-section and. shaped tofit into the above described channel 39 in the casing structure 20(Figures 3. 6 and 1). At its left-hand end the member 40 has dependingtherefrom a part 43 which, when member 4| is seated into the channel 29,enters the upper open end of the channel 21 (Figures 3. and 6) andsnugly interfits therewith. The preferred method of interfitting theseparts is later described.

Again referring to Figure '7, the under face or side of the dependingpart 43 is co-ncaved as at 44, preferably in a true arc whose radius isequal to he radius of the hole 32 (Figure 3), thereby forming virtuallyhalf-cylindrical extension of the walls of hole 32. The depending part42 (Figure '7) is longer than the channel 39 (Figure 3) and at itslowermost end it has a slot 45 whose depth is such that, when the member40 is assembled to the casing structure 26, as in Figure 1, only theextensions 46-41 to either side of the slot 45 project into the bore 25.

To the right of the depending member 52 is an end portion M of the part4| which is adapted to seat into the angle 29 in the right-hand end 'ofthe channel 29 (Figures 3 and 1), the portions of the part 4|intermediate of the parts 42 and 43 seating against the upper face ofthe metal wall portion 48 in which the tumbler-receiving recesses 35,36, etc., are formed.

In the right-hand end. or terminus of the recess 34 (Figure 3) we form aslot 49, and into this slot 49 is seated the right-hand end (see nowFigures 1 and 2) of a flat or ribbon-like spring 50, the latter being ofsubstantial length and extending inwardly along and centrally of thecylindrical recess 34. The right-hand end of spring 56 we anchor in theslot 49 in any suitable manner, as, for example, by pressing the metalat the sides of the slot 49 inwardly to clamp the spring 5|] in place.

Next there is inserted into the recess 34 and through the hole 33 ahelical spring 5| extending about the spring 50. The structure is nowready to have related to it the U-shaped shackle 2| (Figures 1 and 2).

The long leg 2| (Figures 1 and 2) of the shackle 2| has an inner endpart 2| that is slidably and rotatably carried by the cylindrical wallsof the recess 34 and extending centrally and transversely of the longleg 2| and throughout a substantial distance from its right-hand end isa slot 53 into which the free end of the flat spring 56 is received andthereby the two are related telescopically.

By this arrangement, when the shackle 2| is free to swing about the axisof the leg 2P any such swinging thereof twists the flat ribbon spring 50and stores in the latter sufiicient energy to return the shackle 2| tothe position shown in Figure 2 and hence with the short leg 2|juxtaposed to the hole 32.

To the left of the end portion 2| (Figure 2) the long leg 2| is undercutas at 2|, preferably throughout approximately half of the periphery (seeFigures 2 and 8); but extending to the left and on the inner side of thelong leg 2H, the latter is flattened off, as by milling or cutting, asat 2| to terminate in a recess 2| deeper than the undercutting 2| Withthe parts thus far assembled, there is then dropped in through the openend of the transverse chamber 21 (Figures 3 and 6) a ball 54, the latterbeing preferably of hardened steel and, where, as in the preferred case,the chamber 21 is square in cross-section, being of a diameter to besnugly received between and within the four walls of the chamber 21,being thereby snugly guided for movement lengthwise of the chamber 21and with inappreciable play in a transverse direction.

The ball 54 (Figure 2) will be seen to be of appreciable diameter,relatively speaking, and the recesses 2| and 2| in the long leg 2| ofthe shackle 2| are preferably of curved walls whose radius issubstantially equal to the radius of the ball 54.

With the parts thus far assembled, the key plug 22 may now be set intothe bore 25. The key plug 22, which may also be a die casting, isreceived within the bore 25 and has a key slot 55 of any suitable orappropriate transverse configuration in order correspondingly to receivea key 56, as indicated in Figure 2. Communicating with the key slot 55are tumbler-receiving recesses, preferably the same in number as thetumbler-receiving recesses 35, 36, etc. in the casing structure 2|!(Figure 3); accordingly, there are provided four recesses 65, 66, 61 and68 of diameters preferably equal to each other and equal also to theequal diameters of the tumbler recesses 35, 36, etc. and similarlyspaced. In the tumbler recesses 65, 66, etc. are the tumbler pins 15,16, TI and 78, respectively, of appropriate lengths, according to thecode or cutting of the key.

The left-hand or inner end of the key plug 22 (Figures 1 and 2) has anextension 51 integrally formed therewith, this extension being, incross-section, preferably square (see Figure 8) and its transversedimension, as viewed in Figure 8, is substantially equal to thetransverse width or dimension of the chamber 21, into which theextension 51 projects or enters, the interfitting of these two partsdependably holding the key plug 22 against rotation about its own axisor the axis of the bore 25.

The end of extension 5'! (Figures 1, 2 and 8) has inclined or cam faces58 and 59 between which is a cylindrical recess 60 into which isreceived and frictionally held one end of a helical spring ti whichabuts against the inner face of the end wall 26 of the casing structure(Figures 1 and 2) and it always tends to push the key plug 22 to theright or outwardly of the bore 25.

The key plug 22, with the spring 6| secured thereto and with the plugtumblers 'I5'l6, etc. already related to it, is now slid into the bore25 from the right-hand end thereof, as viewed in Figures 3, 1 and 2, theextension 51 entering or projecting into the chamber 21, as alreadyabove mentioned.

The key plug 22 (Figures 1 and 2) has extending crosswise of its upperpart and near the right-hand end thereof a slot 62 (see also Figure 9)this slot being of a depth or vertical dimension, as seen in Figures 1,2 and 9, at least as great as the length of the extensions 46-4'l ofpart 42 (Figure 7) and it has a dimension in the direction of the lengthof the key plug 22 (Figures 1 and 2) slightly more than twice thethickness'of the part 22 (Figure '7). Slot 62 can and in the presentembodiment does intersect tumbler recess in the key plug 22 so thattumbler l8 partially projects into the slot 62.

Another ball 63 (Figure 2) is dropped into the chamber 21 but it fallsno further than about the position shown in Figure 2, since theextension 51, or the spring 6!, or both, prevent the ball 63 fromjoining the ball 54.

The channel 29 (Figure 3) still uncovered so as to expose thetumbler-receiving recesses 35. 36, etc, the next step is to droptumblers 85, B6, 6')! and 82 into recesses 35, 36, 31 and 38,respectively, the inner ends of which are closed by the key plugstructure now already seated in the bore 25. Then springs 95, 96, 91 and98 are seated on top of the casing tumblers 85, 86, 81 and 86,respectively, allowing their upper ends to project into or through thechannel 29 (Figure 3).

The member ii) of Figure '7 is now assembled to the casing structure 2!)and related parts; part 43 (Figure 7) enters the open end of the channel2'! (Figure 3), part 42 enters the channel 39, and part (it closes thechannel 29. These parts are given such relative dimensions that thethree parts of member 46 become respectively forcefitted with respect tothe walls with which they are to engage. For this purpose, it may bedesirable to give the faces of the parts H, 42 and of the member 48 ofFigure '7 a taper of such a character or angle that these three partsare wedged into place or, where the chamber 21 (Figure 3), channel 29,and channel 39, are already given a slight taper, as is usually the caseif the casing structure 20 is die cast, the parts 43, 4!

and 42 of the member 46 are preferably given a slightly greater angle oftaper than the taper of the recesses 21, 29 and 39 into which they areto be wedged, respectively. Also, and in such instances, casingstructure 20 and member 40 are made of the same kind of metal or alloyor of metals or alloys having closely similar or equal temperaturecoefficients of expansion.

Fitting the member 40 into the casing structure 20 is preferably carriedon with the aid of a suitable press. When that is done, removal of part40 is, under ordinary circumstances of use of a padlock, as good asimpossible. Furthermore, part 43 of member 40 (Figure '7), with its halfcylindrical wall 44, has the latter brought into alinement with the wallof the hole 32 to form an extension of the latter for neatly guiding andreceiving the short leg 2| of the shackle 2| (see Figure 1), while thepart M of member 40 closes the tumbler recesses 35, 36, etc. and holdsthe springs 95, 96, etc., and related parts, reliably in assembledrelation.

The part 42 is thus wedged into and through the channel 39 and its twospaced extensions 46, 41 project into the bore 25 (Figures 1, 2 and 9)and into the slot 62 in the key plug 22, thereby precluding removal ofthe key plug 22 from the bore 25 while, of course, permitting thenecessary movement of the key plug 22 to control the balls 54 and 63.The slot 45 (Figure '7) of the part 52. of a width slightly greater thanthe diameter of the tumbler or tumbler pins in the key plug, ispositioned to accommodate the tumbler 18 (Figure 3) when the key plug 22is moved toward the right under the action of the spring 6|.

In operation, the slot 62 (Figures 1 and 2) in the key plug 22, incoaction with the rigid parts 46-41, limits the range of slidingmovement of the key plug 22. With the padlock in unlocked condition orposition, spring 5| (Figure 2) holds the shackle 2i outward and with theshort leg 2| out of the hole 32, while the spring 6! forces the key plug22 to its extreme right-hand position, as shown in Figure 2, stop parts464l being engaged by the left-hand wall of the slot 62 in the key plug22 and the outermost plug tumbler pin l8 being at least partiallyaccommodated in the slot 55 between the stop parts 464'| (Figure 2).

The plug tumblers l5, 16, etc, and the casing tumblers 85, 86, etc., arenow out of alinement with each other, but the displacement of the keyplug 22 to the right, as viewed in Figure 2, is so stopped or limitedthat the walls of the plug tum bler recesses and including thepartitions between the latter, prevent the casing tumblers 85, 86, etc.from descending into the bore 25 under the action of their respectivesprings, while the plug tumblers l5, 16, etc. are blocked against beingprojected out of their recesses in the key plug 22 by the walls of orpartitions between the casing tumbler recesses 35, 36, etc. Thus, thisplug 22 may slide toward the left.

In this condition of the parts, stop parts 46, 4! limit the displacementof the cam face 59 (Figure 2) in a direction to the right under theaction of spring 6| such that ball 54 is confined to a position where itmust project into the recess 34 in which the long leg 2 l is slidable,and hence ball 54 projects into the peripheral recess 2 I. Thereby theball 54 blocks shackle 2| against movement to the left beyond theposition shown in Figure 2, and maintains the assembly of the parts.However, shackle 2! may be swung about the axis of the long leg Zlthroughout an angle of preferably about 180 and preferably about 90toeach side of the plane in which shackle 2! is shown in Figure 2. Suchswinging is permitted by the half-peripheral cut away portion 2I (noteFigure 8), thereby making the short leg 2! of the shackle readilyavailable for connection to or disconnection from the parts to belocked. Also, the torsion to which the spring 56 (Figure 2) is subjectedwhen the shackle 2! is thus swung is limited and thus the spring 50cannot be overstressed, the spring insuring the return of the shackle 2!to the position shown in Figure 2 and thereby positioning the short leg2! in substantial alinement with the hole 32 in the end of the casing.

To look the construction, the key plug 22 (without the key since it isnot needed) and the shackle 2! are forced toward each other. Shackle 2!slides to the right, as viewed in Figure 2, and key plug 22 to the left,finally assuming positions as shown in Figure 1.

During this transition, several actions take place. For example, as thelong leg 2I with its end portion 2 I guided along the cylindricalguiding channel or recess 34, moves toward the right, the short leg 2!enters the chamber 21 through the hole 32, to position the concaverecess 2i opposite the ball 63, concave recess 2 I being juxtaposed tothe ball 54, these movements being permitted by the straight-sided slotor cut away part ZI the latter acting, through the ball 54, to preventkey plug 22 from being completely pushed to the left until these concaverecesses are substantially juxtaposed to their respective balls.Thereby, key plug 22 cannot assume a locked position until the properrecesses in the legs of the shackle are already entered into the casingand properly juxtaposed to their respective balls to be engaged thereby.If desired, this successive action may be achieved or may be aided bycaus ing the spring 6! to interpose a greater resistance to movement ofthe key plug 22 than the resistance of spring 5! to inward movement ofthe shackle 2!. Also, during such inward movement of the latter, theinner end of the long leg 2I through its slot 53, telescopes over agreater length of the flat spring 50 (Figure 1).

Having thus substantially juxtaposed the concave recesses 2| and 2! tothe balls 63 and 54, respectively, the short leg 2! incidentally,limiting inward movement of the shackle 2! by engaging the inner sidewall of the chamber 21, the key plug 22 is now moved to the left or themovement in that cfirection completed. This movement results in the camfaces 58 and 59 (Figure 2) camming or wedging the balls 63 and 54 awayfrom each other and into the shackle recesses 2 I and 25 respectively.And preferably, the parts are so proportioned and shaped that the keyplug extension 51 (see now Figure 1) becomes completely interposedbetween the two balls 63 and 54 engaging the latter in its upper andlower flat faces and thus precluding any outward pull on the shackle 2!(see Figure 1) from causing the balls to have any camming action on thekey plug 22; in fact, this arrangement insures that any external forcesthus applied to the shackle 2! exert, through the balls 63 and 54, onlya force of compression upon the key plug extension 51.

As the key plug 22 is moved as above described, the theretoforemisalined casing tumbler recesses and plug tumbler recesses becomealined, respectively, as shown in Figure 1, whereupon, under the actionof the tumbler springs, the casing tumblers 85, 86, etc., enter thetumbler recesses in the key plug 22 to such extents as permitted by theplug tumblers themselves. Whereupon movement of the key plug 22 in adirection to release the balls and hence the shacklet can take placeonly under the control of an appropriate key.

When the key 56 is inserted into the key slot 55 of the key plug 22, therespective sets of tumblers are lifted against their respective springsso as to bring the junctions of casing and plug tumblers in alinementwith the bore 25, thus freeing the key plug 22 for sliding movement andpromptly, under the action of spring 6!, plug 22 is moved from theposition shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2. Preferablythe spring 6! has sufificient strength to effect this movement with asort of snap action, for thereby it is possible to snap the key 56 outof the key plug and in any event the operator is given a positivereminder not to leave the key in the unlocked padlock.

The extension 51 now no longer forms a barrier to the movement of theballs 53 and 54 toward each other, but the balls are now free to assumethe positions shown in Figure 2; in fact, they are cammed into thatposition by the righthand curved ends of the shackle recesses 2! and 2!under the action of spring 5! which ejects the shackle 2! to the extentpermitted by the coaction of the stop members 46--41, slot 82, cam face59, ball 54, cut away part 2 I, and related parts.

In Figures 10, 11 and 12 we have shown our invention carried out with awafer or disk type of tumbler construction and we again employ shackle2! shaped exactly like that above described in connection with Figures 1and 2 and hence having different portions and parts, all as describedabove in detail, including the shackleejecting spring 5! and the torsionspring 50 telescopically related through the slot 53 with the long leg2I for swinging the shackle back into position to cause its short leg toenter the casing.

The casing structure, generally indicated at I 20, comprises what againis preferably a die casting, having a front end wall I24, the casingstructure I having formed or cored therein a cylindrical bore I (Figures10 and 11) which opens through a stepped round opening I24 in the frontwall I24. The bore I25 extends toward the rear wall I26 but terminatesconsiderably short of the latter, communicating with a verticallyextending chamber I21 open at its upper end. Chamber I21 corresponds tochamber 21 of Figure 3, is preferably square in cross-section anddimensioned to snugly receive therein the balls I63 and I54. Underneaththe cored out bore I25 and extending parallel to it is a cylindricalrecess I34 (like the recess 34 in Figure 3) juxtaposed or in alinementwith a hole I33 in the rear wall I26, thereby to receive and rotatablyand slidably mount the long leg 2! of the shackle 2!, with the springsalready mentioned and as described in connection with Figures 1-3. Rearwall I26 also has .a hole I32, like the hole 32 of Figure 3, throughwhich the short leg 2I of the shackle may pass and thence into the upperend of the chamber I21.

Immediately above the bore I25 (Figure 11) and communicating with it isa channel I29; this channel I29 virtually intersects, at its left-handend, the upper part of the chamber I21, and as is better seen in Figures10 and 11, channel I29 virtually exposes the bore I25 along its upperportion and throughout its entire length.

Channel I29 is to receive the casing counterpart or closure member I40,shown in perspective in Figure 12. Member I40 will be seen tobe arelatively heavy and solid part, also capable of being die cast, and itsupper part I4I may be considered to be somewhat plate-like to form aclosure at the outer end for the channel I29, being shaped (see Figure11) externally substantially to match the contour and appearance of thebottom wall I28 of the casing structure I20.

Depending from the left-hand portion of closure part MI is a part I43which closes off the upper end of the chamber I21 and part I43 is, onits under side, concaved as at I44 with a radius of curvaturesubstantially to match that of the round hole I32 and thus to form anextension inwardly of the latter for guiding and seating the short leg 2I of the shackle.

The remainder or right-hand portion of the part I4I has dependingtherefrom a part I42 which fits into and occupies the lower half portionof the chamber I29 whose inner side walls are stepped as at I29 and I29to form a ledge against which is seated the right-hand portion of memberI4I (see Figures 12 and 11), whose thickness is slightly greater thanthe thickness of the depending part I42.

The under face I42 of the depending part I42 (Figure 12) is given thesame radius of curvature as that of the bore I25, so that the bore I25becomes completed by the arcuate under face 142 Where the key plug I22is to have five tumblers, we give depending part I42 (Figure 12) fivetumbler-receiving slots I35, I36, I31, I38 and I39. Adjacent theinnermost slot I35 and projecting downwardly from the cylindrical faceI42 is a stop member or part I46, which is to project into the completedbore I25 (see Figures 10 and 11).

The key plug I22 is provided with a key slot I and tumblers I15, I16,I11, I18 and I19, which are of the so-called disk or wafer type, beingof apertured sheet metal and a configuration better shown in Figure 13.Each tumbler is pressed upwardly by a spring housed in a suitable recessin the key plug itself; in Figure 13 spring I80 is shown in relation tothe tumbler I15 and the key plug I22.

Thus, again referring to Figure 13, it will be seen that tumbler I15 isguided for transverse sliding movement in a slot or tumbler-receivingrecess I65 that extends completely through and transversely of the keyplug I22; communicating with the tumbler recess I65 and alongside of itis a cylindrical recess I8I in which the helical tumbler spring I80 ispositioned, its lower end resting against the bottom of the recess I8Iand. its upper end resting underneath a lateral pro jection I15 of thetumbler I15.

While the spring recess I8I is open at the upper side of the key plugI22, we provide a radially extending recess I82, round in cross-section,opening from the under side of key plug I22 (Figure 13) but positionedto be intersected by the tumbler recess I65. Recess I 82 is provided sothat a ball I83 may be dropped into it through the central opening I15of the tumbler I15 when the latter is pressed downwardly against theaction of spring I80 to a sufiicient extent to cause this opening I15 tobe exposed beyond the lower portion of the periphery of the key plugI22, thus permitting the ball I83 to be dropped into the channel orrecess I82. Subsequent release from that position of tumbler I15 allowsthe spring I80 to move the tumbler I15 upwardly to a point such thatball I83 collides with one of the longitudinally extending ribs of thekey slot I55, the rib and the ball acting as a stop to limit themovement upwardly of tumbler I15 under the action of spring I80.

The remaining tumblers are similarly provided with springs, balls, andaccompanying channels or recesses in the key plug I22, and hence, thetumblers normally (with the key not in the slot) project upwardly beyondthe periphery of the plug I22 to such varying extents or degrees as ispermitted by the appropriately coded or proportioned vertical dimensionsof the tumblers themselves; a typical or illustrative proportioning ofthese parts is shown in Figure 10.

To facilitate dropping the balls I83 into their respective channels orrecesses I82, as already above described, we prefer, as is better shownin Figure 10, to provide, in the key plug I22, a longitudinallyextending channel or slot I22 which extends lengthwise along the underside of the key plug I22, intersecting all of the radial channels I82and being of a width (see Figure 11) equal to or slightly greater thanthe width of these channels. Channel I22 thus forms a convenient guidingchannel for entering the balls into their respective radial recesses orchannels.

Referring again to Figure 10, it will be noted that the lower wall ofthe bore I25 is provided with recesses 235, 236, 231, 238 and 239 towhich the recesses I35, I36, I31, I38 and I39 (see Figure 12) of thepart I42 of the casing counterpartlmember I40 become juxtaposed whenthis counterpart is, as is later described, assembled to the casingstructure I20. These recesses are of the same Width or dimensioncrosswise of the casing as are the recesses I35, I36, etc., thisdimension being the same as the width of the lower part of the channelI29.

These lower recesses 235, 236, etc. are thus dimensioned to receive thetumblers I15, I16, etc., respectively, should any of them be projecteddownwardly.

- The key plug I22 (see Figure 10) has an extension I51 which intransverse cross-section, like the extension 51 of Figures 1-9, ispreferably square and is transversely dimensioned to be snugly receivedbetween the vertical side walls of the chambers I21, thereby preventingthe key plug I22 from partaking of rotary movement. It had cam surfacesI58 and I59 and, a recess I60 receiving a helical spring I6I.

Having first assembled the shackle 2| to the casing I20, after firstputting spring 5| in the recess I34 (Figure 10) but leaving the shacklesufficiently projected from the casing structure I20 so that its shortleg 2| does not obstruct the upper end of chamber I21, ball I 54 isdropped into the chamber I21, and then key plug I22, with, however, akey thrust into the key slot I55 (in order thereby to bring all of thetumblers I15, I16, etc. out of projecting position) is slid lengthwise,in a direction to the left, as viewed in Figure 10, into the bore I25.Key plug I22 is thrust completely home, spring I6I being therebycompressed. Then ball I63 is dropped into the chamber I21, the plugextension I51 barring it from joining ball I54 at the bottom of thechamber.

Then the companion casing piece or closure member I40 is put into thechamber I29, key plug I22 having a slot I62 at an appropriate pointalong its upper part, conveniently just to the left of the innermosttumbler I15. This slot I62 is of a width sufficient to receive the stopmember I46 (Figure 12) and of a length greater than the thickness ofstop member I46. The walls of the chamber I29, both above and below theshoulders I29 and I29 of Figure 11, may be and preferably are slightlytapered, particularly where the structure is die cast, and to acorresponding and preferably slightly greater degree we taper the facesor side walls of the member I46 of Figure 12, the latter being therebyor otherwise dimensioned to be receivable into the channel I29 with whatmay be termed a forcefit or a press-fit.

Thus we force-fit or wedge the member I 40 into the channel I29, theextent of entry being limited by the longitudinal shoulders I29 and I29in the side walls thereof and the corresponding ledges in the side facesof member I46 (see Figures 11 and 12).

When thus forced home, stop member I46 is entered into the slot I62 ofthe key plug I22 (Figures 10 and 11) and the slots I35, I36, etc. ofmember I46 (Figure 12) become respectively juxtaposed to the tumblersI15, I16, etc. or to the tumbler-receiving recesses of the latter, andthus become themselves tumbler-receiving recesses into which thetumblers may move.

The key may now be withdrawn, for the coaction of stop member I46 andslot I62 (Figure 10) prevents removal of the key plug I22.

In action, the construction of Figures 10-13 is very much as wasdescribed in detail in con nection withFigures 1-9, as will now in viewof all of the foregoing be understood. It might be added, however, that,with the parts in the positions shown in Figure 10, the insertion of aproper key into the key slot I55 withdraws all of the tumblers I15, I16, etc. from the tumbler-receiving recesses or slots I35, I36, etc. inthe member I40, and thus the spring I6I is freed to move the key plugI22 to the right, preferably with a snap action for purposes alreadyabove described. This movement of key plug I22 is limited by the stopI46 and slot I62 to an extent sufficient first to remove the extensionI51 sufiiciently to cause the balls I63 and I54 to release the shackle2I, whose spring 5| snaps it to the left but to an extent limited by thecoaction of the extension I51, ball I54, and cut away portion 2| of theshackle 2|, and secondly, to prevent, displacement of the tumblers I15,I16, etc. to the right (Figure 10) beyond the partitions of part I42(Figure 12) intervening successive slots I35, I36, etc, thereby toprevent the tumbler springs I80. (Figures 11 and 13) from causing thetumblers to interengage with any of the recesses I35, I36, etc.

To lock the padlock, shackle 2I and key plug I22 are moved toward eachother, as will now be clear, but again such a succession of themovements of these two parts relative to the casing takes place thatshackle recesses 2| and 2I are first juxtaposed to the balls I63 andI54, respectively, before the inward movement. of key plug I22 iscompleted so that the two balls are moved into interlocking relation tothe two recesses. Here again, the narrowest part of the extension I51(Figure 10) is bounded by substantially parallel faces so that anypossible carnming action of the shackle recesses on the balls, due toexternal efforts to strain or force the padlock, is taken up by theextension I51 as forces of compression rather than to be resolved intocomponents tending to, exert axial thrusts upon the key plug I22 andrelated parts.

When the movement of the key plug I22 toward the left is concluded, thetumbler springs snap the tumblers into their respective recesses I35,I36,

etc. of the casing, thus holding the extension I51 in the abovedescribed relation and requiring a proper key to remove them out oflocking relation.

Certain features of our invention may, however, be carried out in apadlock construction wherein the key plug, instead of partaking of asliding movement as above described, partakes of a rotary movement;under some circumstances, such a construction might be preferable.Accordingly, and to illustrate how certain features of our invention arethus carried out, reference may now be made to Figures 14-17 in whichone such embodiment is illustrated.

In Figure 14 the casing structure 20, shackle, and ball members ofFigure 1 are reproduced, for these parts may be made substantiallyidentical throughout as was described above in connection with Figures1-6 inclusive; accordingly, these parts, and their various details ofconstruction, all as already above described, are shown in Figures 14and 15 and similarly identified by the same reference characters.

The key plug 222 of Figure 14 is of a construction generally similar tothat of key plug 22 of Figures 1 and 2, being provided with a key slot255 for the reception of an appropriate key 256.

These tumbler pins 85, 86, etc. are springpressed downwardly by springs95, 96, etc., respectively.

Adjacent its forward or right-hand end, the key plug 222 is providedwith a circumferentially extending groove or slot 262 (Figure 14), for apurpose described, and at its rear of left-hand end it is provided witha cam extension 251 which, when the key plug 222 is in proper positionin the bore 25 just about clears the inner face of the rear end wall 26of the casing structure 20, as is better shown in Figure 14.

The cam extension 251 is, in cross-section, shaped as is better shown inFigure 15, being in general rectangular in cross-section, its facesbeing slightly curved if desired, and the longer or major axis of itscross-section being substantially in the plane along which the tumblerrecesses 65, 66, etc. of the key plug 222 are alined.

The construction of Figures 14-15 is provided with acasing closure orcompanion member 240 which is better shown in Figure 16, shaped exactlylike the member 46 shown and above described in connection with Figure"1, with one exception. It has, therefore, parts 24I, 242, 243 and244'corresponding to the parts 4|, 42, 43 and 44, respectively, of themember 40 of Figure '1, but the lower end of the depending part 242(Figure 16) which is to enter the channel 39 is curved at its lower edgeas at 246. The peripheral slot 262 (Figure 14) of the key plug 222 is ofan axial dimension snugly to receive the lower end of the depending part242 (Figures 14 and 16) and the curvature of the end 246 substantiallymatches the curvature of the bottom of the peripheral slot 262.

In assembly, the shackle 2! is first related to the casing structure 26by inserting the long leg 2P thereof into the recess 34 andinterrelating its inner end with the springs 5I and 59; then ball 54 isdropped into the vertical chamber 21, whereupon the key plug 222, withthe tumblers 15, 16, etc. therein, is slid into the bore 25. Ball 63 isnow dropped into the upper open end of the chamber 21, coming to rest onthe cam extension 251 which is given, by rotating the key plug 222, aposition degrees from that shown in Figure 15, thereby permitting theshort leg of the shackle to be entered through the hole 32 into thechamber 21. I

Then the tumblers B5, 86, etc. are dropped into the tumbler-receivingrecesses 35, 36, etc. of the casing structure 20, springs 95, 96,likewise dropped into their channels, and then companion casing member240 is forced into the position shown in Figure 14 in a manner as wasdescribed above in connection with the. assembly of member 40 to thecasing structure 20 of Fig ures 1 and 2. Thereby, the depending member242 enters the peripheral slot 262 (Figure 14) of the key plug 222,preventing movement of the latter in axial direction while permittingfreedom of rotation.

To lock the construction, shackle 25 is driven home against the actionof spring 5!, spring 50 insuring that the short leg 2 I comes intoproper alinement relative to the hole 32 in the end wall 26; key plug222 is now rotated by the key 256, through an angle of degrees, and intothe position shown in Figures 14 and 15, thereby alining the tumblerrecesses in the key plug with the tumbler recesses in the casingstructure 20 so that, upon the ensuing withdrawal of the key 256, thecasing tumblers 85, 86, etc. enter the tumbler recesses 65, 66, etc. inthe key plug 222 and hold the latter against rotation.

The above described 90 rotation has caused the cam extension 251 to movethe balls 63 and 54 apart from each other and into the shackle recesses2 I and 2 I with a reliable holding action that is now clear in view ofthe earlier descriptions above set forth.

To unlock the structure, the key 256 is inserted to lift the tumblersand thereby to permit a 90 rotation of the key plug 222, a rotationwhich is, of course, partaken of by the cam extension 251 which nowassumes a position 90 degrees from that shown in Figure 15, its majoraxis extending horizontally instead of vertically. Thereby the balls 63and 54 can move toward each other, being given that movement by the camaction of the shackle recesses 2I and 21 because the spring 5i promptlycomes into action to force the shackle 2! to the left or outwardly.

But the cam extension 251 has a minor axis or thickness so dimensionedwith respect to the diameter of the ball 54 and with respect to thedepth of the straight-sided slot or cut away part 21 in the long leg 2!of the shackle 2! that continued rotation of the key plug 222 be yondthe above described 90 rotation in unlocking direction cannot take placeand so that, also, the ball 54 just about exactly fits in between thecam extension 251 and the bottom of the cut away part 2 I? to preventthe shackle 21 from being completely withdrawn from the casing; duringthis latter action a rotation or swinging of the shackle 2! can takeplace due to the arcuate cut away portion 2I Thus, it will be seen hownumerous of the unique features of our invention may be carried out intopractice where it is desired to have the key plug rotate instead ofslide. As earlier indicated, the various tumbler devices are intended tobe illustrative and the same is true of the tumbler pins of theconstruction shown in Figure l i. However, to illustrate how thosefeatures of our invention shown and above described in connection withFigures 14-16 may be carried out where it is desired to use the wafer ordisk type of tumbler, such as that shown in connec tion with Figuresl0-13, reference may now be made to Figures 17-19.

In Figures 17 and 18 we employ, a casing structure, shackle and ballssubstantially as shown in construction similar to that described abovein 1 connection with Figures 10-13, being provided withtumbler-receiving recesses, wafer-like tumblers, and coacting ballswhich are identified in Figures 17 and 18 by the same reference characters, but the inner or left-hand end of the key plug 322 instead ofhaving a slot M32 as in Figure 10 is provided with a peripherallyextending slot 362 and instead of having the cam extension I51 with thespring I62 as in Figure 10 is provided with a cam extension 351 exactlylike the cam extension 251 of Figures 14 and 15.

The casing structure I20 of Figures 17 and 18 is provided with a closuremember or casing counterpart 340 having parts 34L 342, 343 and 344corresponding respectively to the parts I4i, I42, I43 and I44 of Figure12, but part 342 is of less depth than the part I42 of Figure 12, beingdevoid of the tumbler-receiving individual recesses I35, I36, etc., andit has a downwardly directed or depending part 346 of a thickness snuglyto enter the peripheral slot 362 (Figure 17) of the key plug 322 andhaving a lower or under face 341 curved substantially to match thecurvature of the bottom of the slot 362.

In assembly, shackle 2| is first related with its long leg to the recessI34 and to springs 55 and 5|, whereupon ball I54 is dropped into thechamber I21; thereupon the key plug 322, with an appropriate key 356entered into its key slot 355, thereby to withdraw all of the tumblersI15, I16, etc. within the cylindrical exterior of the key plug 322, isinserted into the bore l25 but in such a position that the cam extension351 has its major axis extending horizontally. The cam extensiontherefore bridges over the ball I54, whereupon ball I63 may now beentered into the chamber I25, coming to rest on the upper side of thecam extension 351.

Shackle 2 I, with its short leg 21* held in alinement with the hole I32by the spring 50, may now be completely entered into'the casingstructure I20 and if desired the key plug 322 may now be given a 90 turnto cause the cam extension 351 to force the balls I63 and I54 apart andinto their respective shackle recesses 2I and M If desired the key maynow be withdrawn and if this is done, the tumbler springs project thetumblers I15, I16, etc. upwardly and into the lower end of the channelI29, as shown in Figure 1'1, thereby holding the key plug 322 againstfurther rotation and the endmost tumbler I19, engaging just inside ofthe front end wall I24 holding the key plug against movement outwardlyof the bore I25.

Thereupon the companion casing member 340 (Figure 19) is assembled tothe casing structure I20 in a manner described fully in connection withFigures 10-13, but the depending part 346 (Figures 17 and 19) enters theperipheral slot 362, in the key plug 322, thereby holding the key plug322 against movementaxially while permitting free rotation thereof. Thepart 342 passes downwardly into the channel I29 but terminates short ofthe bore I25, thereby leaving the channel I29 exposed to the bore I25 toa suflicient extent both axially and radially of the bore to receive thespring-projected tumblers I15, I16, etc., the axially extending sidewalls of the channel I29 coacting with the projected tumblers to preventrotation of the key plug.

The locking and unlocking actions and the maintenance of assembly of theparts when the shackle is released and outwardly projected take place inthe construction of Figures 17-19 exactly as was described above inconnection with Figures 14-46.

The recess 335 (Figures 17 and 18) of the casing structure is alsoadapted to receive the tumblers I15, I16, etc.,\ just as is the lowerend of the channel I29 as above described. More particularly, should aneffort be made to operate the tumblers by means of an improperly codedor cut key, the recess 335 is ready to have projected into it, thus toprevent rotation of the key plug, such tumblers as such a key mightwithdraw from the channel I29 (which functions as a tumblerreceivingrecess) and project into it.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention apadlock construction in which the various objects hereinbefore mentionedtogether with numerous thoroughly practical advantages are successfullyachieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

We claim:

1. In padlock construction, in combination, a casing having a bore inwhich is slidably received a key plug, said key plug and casing havingtumbler means controllable by a key for permitting or preventing slidingmovement of the key plug relative to the casing, said casing having inone end thereof open recesses, a U-shaped shackle having one leg longerthan the other slidably related to said casing with the legs thereofreceivable into said recesses, the portions of said legs receivable intosaid recesses being notched, said key plug having an interior extensionprovided with cam-like faces each directed toward one of said notches, apair of members each interposed between one of said cam-like faces and ashackle leg and respectively movable into or out of said shackle notchesin accordance with the position of said key plug lengthwise of saidbore, said casing having a chamber extending transversely thereof andterminating in said shackle leg recesses for receiving freely thereinsaid two members, said chamber having parallel side walls and said keyplug extension having similarly spaced parallel side walls receivedbetween the walls of said chamber, thereby to prevent rotation of thekey plug while permitting sliding movement thereof.

2. In padlock construction, in combination, a casing structure having acylindrical bore therein extending rearwardly thereof from the frontwall thereof and having a chamber extending transversely of thestructure and along the rear end wall of the latter, said borecommunicating with said chamber, said rear end wall having two laterallyspaced apertures communicating with the opposite ends of said chamber, aU-shaped shackle having a short leg and a long leg with juxtaposednotches therein, said legs receivable through said apertures, saidcasing having a deep recess juxtaposed to one of said apertures andextending alongside of said bore, for receiving therein the long leg ofsaid shackle, said casing structure having an outwardly open channel atthat side opposite from the side having said deep recess, said chamberbeing open through said channel, a member resting in the lower portionof said chamber for coaction with the notch in said long leg, a key plughaving tumbler means and inserted into said bore through said front endwall and having an extension projecting into said chamber above saidmember, a second member in said chamber above said extension forcoaction with the notch in said short leg, and a closure memberforce-fitted into said channel for closing said chamber, said closuremember and said key plug having coacting means, brought into coactingrelation when said closure member is forced home, for holding said keyplug against removal.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which said coacting means ofsaid closure member comprises a depending part which, when said closuremember is forced home, projects into said bore, and in which thecoacting means of said key plug comprises means coacting with said partfor limiting movement of the key plug relative to the bore.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which the two memberscoacting with the notches in said shackle legs are dimensioned freely toslide in said chamber and in which the key plug extension is slidablyreceived between said members and is shaped for non-rotatable andslidable guiding by the walls of said chamher.

5. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which the casing resultingfrom the assembly of said casing structure and said closure member isprovided with tumbler-receiving recesses for coaction with the tumblermeans in said key plug, said recesses opening into said channel and saidclosure member having an extent sufficient, when driven home, to extendover and make said tumbler-receiving recesses inaccessible from theexterior of said casing.

6. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which there is interposedbetween the inside face of said rear end wall and said key plugextension a spring tending to move said key plug relative to its bore,and a part underneath said closure member coacting with said key plug tolimit the action of said spring.

7. In padlock construction, in combination, a casing structure having acylindrical bore therein extending rearwardly thereof from the frontwall thereof and having a chamber ext-ending transversely of thestructure and along the rear end wall of the latter, said borecommunicating with said chamber, said rear end wall having two laterallyspaced apertures communicating with the opposite ends of said chamber aU-shaped shackle having a short leg and a long leg, said long leg havinga notch therein facing toward the short leg, said casing structurehaving a deep recess juxtaposed to that one of said apertures throughwhich said long leg is received for accommodating therein said long leg,said deep recess extending alongside of said bore, said casing structurehaving an outwardly open channel in a side thereof on the other side ofsaid bore, said chamber being open through said channel, a member in thebottom end of said chamber and received therein through the open end ofthe latter for coaction'with the notch in said long leg, a key plughaving tumbler'means and inserted into said bore through said front endwall, said key plug having means at its rear end for coaction with saidmember, a companion casing structure part receivable in said channelhaving communicating therewith an auxiliary channel that communicateswith said bore and said companion casing structure part having a partreceivable into said auxiliary channel, at least one of said parts beingforce-fitted into its channel.

8. A construction as claimed in claim '7 in which the means at the rearend of the key plug is a cam means responsive to movement of the keyplug for holding or releasing said member relative to the notch in saidlong leg of the shackle.

9. A construction as claimed in claim 7 in which said part of saidcompanion casing structure part extends through said auxiliary channelinto coacting relation to said key plug, said key plug having meanscoacting with said last-mentioned part for limiting movement of the keyplug relative to the casing.

10. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which there are providedmeans for holding said key plug against sliding movement in said borewhile permitting rotation thereof, said two members that coact with saidnotches and said key plug extension having coacting shapes whereby saidmembers, in response to rotary movement of said extension, are enteredinto or permitted to move out of said notches.

11.. In padlock construction, in combination, a casing having a key plugmovably mounted therein, said casing and key plug having coactingtumbler means for permitting or preventing movement of said key plugrelative to the casing, a U-shaped shackle having one leg longer thanthe other, said casing having recesses exposed through a wall thereoffor telescopically receiving the legs of said shackle, one leg of saidshackle being longer than the other whereby said shackle may be moved toWithdraw the shorter leg out of its recess and may be rotated about theaxis of said long leg, shackle-dogging means within said casing forholding or releasing said shackle in accordance with the position ofsaid key plug, and spring means acting upon said shackle to yieldinglymaintain the short leg in juxtaposition to its recess when said shackleis released by said dogging means.

12. A construction as claimed in claim 11 in which said spring meanscomprises an elongated torsion spring having one end anchored in therecess that receives the long leg, the latter having 13. A constructionas claimed in claim 11 in which said spring means comprises an elongatedtorsion spring having one end anchored in the recess that receives thelong leg, the latter having telescopic connection with the other end ofsaid torsion spring, there being also spring means tending to push saidshackle outwardly with respect to said casing said last-mentioned springmeans comprising a coiled spring surrounding said torsion spring andinterposed between a wall of said recess and the end of said long leg.

14. In lock construction, in combination, a casing structure having acylindrical bore therein and having a key plug movably mounted in saidbore, said key plug and said casing structure having tumbler meanscoacting therewith and including tumbler-receiving recess means in saidcasing structure, said casing structure having an outwardly open channelextending lengthwise of said tumbler means and substantially juxtaposedto said recess means, and a companion casing structure piece in the formof a closure member force-fitted into said channel and closing saidrecess means and having a part which, when said closure member is forcedhome, is brought into coacting relation with said key plug for limitingmovement of the latter relative to its bore.

15. A construction as claimed in claim 14 in which said casing recessmeans comprises a plurality of individual tumbler recesses each of whichhas a tumbler therein communicating with said bore and a spring on topof each tumbler, said key plug having corresponding and coactingtumblers, said casing having a second channel extending from said firstchannel to said bore for receiving said part of said closure member andto bring it into coaction with said key plug, said closure memberclosing said tumbler recesses and taking up the thrust of said springs.

16. A lock construction as claimed in claim 14 in whichsaid tumblermeans comprises tumblers carried by said key plug and projectable intoor out of said recess means of said casing, said recess means being inthe form of a single recess for receiving all of said tumblers and saidchannel being in communication with said recess throughout substantiallyits entire length, said closure member closing said recess and saidcoacting part of said closure member extending through said singlerecess into coacting relation to said key plug.

HENRY F. KEIL. ADAM SCHOOREL.

